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Head On celebrates the impact of the image, not the celebrity of the photographer. Its founder and curator Moshe Rosenzveig spoke to Garrett Bithell.
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Head On is an innovative showcase of Australian portrait photography, reflecting a vibrant and diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition includes the work of 42 different finalists selected from 2400 submissions, who competed for prizes worth over $30,000.
The winners were announced last Thursday, May 1 at the Australian Centre for Photography in Paddington to a record crowd of over 1000 people. The show was officially opened by Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore, who presented the prizes to three winners: Brendon Esposito for his image ‘Sweet Dreams’, Richard Kendall for ‘Leonard & William at Alfred Hospital’, and Tobias Titz for ‘Ginger Bob’. The ‘Critic’s Choice’ went to Montalbetti & Campell for their image ‘Hazel & Ken Kelly’.
This year’s works have been selected by multi award-winning photographer Stephen Dupont, Byron-McMahon director Sandra Byron, and Head On founder and curator Moshe Rosenzveig. The ‘Critic’s Choice’ was selected by Sydney Morning Herald photography critic Robert McFarlane.
“The show’s main selection criteria are the quality and impact of the image, rather than the celebrity of the photographer or subject,” Rosenzveig tells SX. “It’s about gut feeling – the image has to hit us. It has to be very personal and very immediate. We don’t intellectualise or analyse too much.”
Head On is regarded by the arts community as the most critically important photographic prize in the country.
“Last year was the first time we got the tick of approval – the acceptance of the arts world. Now it’s well beyond that; it’s now accepted as the best portrait show in Australia.
“The judges change every year so the show is never predictable – people have more of a chance getting in regardless of who they are. No one becomes the favourite.
“The images are more quirky this year; it’s a great selection.”
Head On will be exhibited at the Australian Centre for Photography (257 Oxford Street, Paddington) until June 7. For more information visit acp.org.au.
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